Engineers are in high demand but between 2012 and 2021, the number of Welsh students studying an Electronics and Electrical Engineering (EEE) degree reduced by a third. The project also aims to increase the diversity of people entering the electronics industry
Over 200 students, from schools and colleges across Wales, were able to explore electronics at one of the workshops offered as part of the programme. The young people attending the events were introduced to the many opportunities of studying and working in the field of electronics.
Spark their imagination also provided free electronics equipment, and resources, to secondary schools to help teachers promote electronics and develop their students’ knowledge. This year, 50 schools in over 35 different towns and cities throughout Wales received a variety of electronics kits.
The project includes the Sparc Award which offers financial support for school and college students who are planning to study electronics-related courses at university. As part of the project, 24 bursaries of £2,500 have been awarded to students who have secured a place at university this September.
At the workshops, students were welcomed by UKESF CEO, Stewart Edmondson, who introduced semiconductors and explained how this technology is crucial for day-to-day devices to work.
Leading academics spoke to the students about their route into engineering and the different roles they’ve had throughout their careers. Members of the university team, and their students, also gave an insight into studying electronics at university.
The programme also enabled students to visit state-of-the-art labs and measure the movement of light, built circuits and learn about simulation design.
Throughout the workshops, academics explained how semiconductors underpin a wide range of technologies and will enable future applications.
The workshops were hosted by Cardiff University, University of Wales Trinity St David, Bangor University, University of South Wales and Swansea University.
Spark their imagination; power their future, is funded by Innovate UK and is just one of the projects and initiatives from the UKESF inspiring the next generation of Electronics Engineers.
Stewart Edmondson, UKESF CEO, said, “I’ve been so pleased with the enormous interest in our collaborative Spark their imagination programme this year.
“Engaging over 50 secondary schools in Wales, at the events or linking up to provide our free electronics kits, will have a lasting impact. Also, it has been really worthwhile to support 24 students from Wales as they make the transition to university.
“The in-person workshops have been great. The host universities have all been fantastically supportive and helped us deliver successful events. As well as the students themselves, it has been so valuable to involve teachers as their participation means that we should be able to sustain engagement in semiconductors at schools and colleges across Wales.”
Alex Leadley, Skills Academy manager at CSA Catapult, said, “The purpose of this programme is to inspire the next generation of engineers and raise the profile of our industry. We are facing a workforce shortage, so we need to have interventions in place which will educate and inform young people about the opportunities that are available to them.
“This project addresses that, but also offers information and resources to teachers and schools, careers information and opportunities to hear from industry as well as education, and crucially, it offers financial support to learners who want to go on to further study.
“This multi-faceted approach will hopefully be a strong foundation for Wales to build upon and be an excellent case study for what could be implemented across the UK.”
